West Norfolk businesses open their doors on National Manufacturing Day

Thanks to a collaboration between the borough council, four local businesses and New Anglia Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (NAAME), students were given the rare opportunity to visit and see for themselves the opportunities available.

Cllr Simon Ring, Deputy Leader and cabinet member for Business, explained:

“Four of West Norfolk’s leading local businesses opened their doors for site tours and career talks. I must thank Palm Paper, SKF Cooper Roller Bearings, Mars Food and Fosters Refrigeration for supporting this initiative, alongside Williams Refrigeration who organised activity to mark the day. These are four pivotal and world class businesses that we’re fortunate to have in our borough.

“One of the key reasons we wanted to take part in this initiative for the first time is that we recognise our role in helping to raise the aspirations of young people, broaden their horizons on the career paths and opportunities available to them locally.”

 

Zach Stanford, Operations Manager at Palm Paper, said:

“I started at Palm Paper in 2010 as an apprentice after leaving school, unsure if university was the right path for me. It turned out to be the best decision I ever made. Palm has supported me through a full-time engineering degree, a part-time master’s, and developed me into my current senior management role – all by my early thirties.

“My journey shows that local people can achieve great things when supported by local manufacturers, and that the traditional university route straight from school isn’t the only way to success. I’m excited to welcome local students to Palm for National Manufacturing Day, to showcase our state-of-the-art paper manufacturing process and demonstrate how a vocational career path can lead to rewarding, high-level opportunities right here in our community.”

Students were able to tour sites and take part in career talks that showcased the diverse roles available in the sector and the many pathways available to get into manufacturing and engineering.

 

Cllr Ring added:

“The Council and its partners are committed to supporting training of local talent for our businesses to help them recruit the employees they need to grow. Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering is one of West Norfolk’s most productive sectors, which contributes the highest Gross Value Added (GVA) of all local industries—£530 million, representing approximately 28% of the area’s total economic output. This reflects both the depth of talent and the strategic importance of the sector to the region’s long-term growth.”

National Manufacturing Day is coordinated by Make UK, and celebrates the breadth of the UK’s manufacturing sector—from food and drink to aerospace and pharmaceuticals. More details about the national programme and participating employers can be found on the National Manufacturing Day website.